With the foundations of the iPro still shaking from last weekend’s party, this, coupled with a last-gasp defeat on Tuesday night, threatened to be a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show.’

Finding ourselves in definite ‘home banker’ territory, the pessimist (or is that just the Derby fan?) in me feared slipping, ala Millwall, on the proverbial banana skin. Nevertheless, under glorious Derbados skies, the Rams producing a scintillating first half display en-route to easing past the Addicks.

Unsurprisingly, despite Tuesday’s narrow loss, the Rams were unchanged, with Dawkins, Ward and Hughes still not fit enough to return. Thorne had also done enough for McClaren to start him ahead of Eustace, who was back from suspension.

As we sat outside, roasting in fifteen-degrees balminess for the pre-match pint, it seemed only to be me that was erring on the side of caution. Various scores were thrown in my direction, with ‘Hat-trick Bamford’ somewhat optimistically offered as the potential title to this piece…

Our start though was certainly one of a side hurting from conceding a winner in stoppage-time in their last outing. After everyone had taken turns to kiss Craig Bryson’s feet, we shot out of the blocks quicker than a manager turning down the Forest job.

The tempo was immediately quick, the passing sharp and Bryson immediately found space, before dribbling a shot wide. Forsyth then galloped forwards before screwing past the post. Athletic was looking hardly that as the Rams were dominant and looked a threat with every attack. Next, Thorne, who had started superbly, advanced before fizzing a shot over into the South Stand.

Charlton had barely got out of their half, so it came as a surprise to everyone, apart from Lee Grant, to see the visitors fashion the first shot on target of the game. Obika held up well to find Michael’s brother Johnnie, who’s curling effort produced a great save from the Derby stopper low to his right. A save made even better considering he had to fold away his deck chair before making it. The resulting corner saw Grant called into action again, plunging on a loose ball which threatened to trickle in.

Two nearly moments, but the Rams were quickly back in the ascendancy. A corner of our own was cleared to the edge of the box, where Bryson crashed a dipping volley just wide. A shot which, if successful in finding the corner, would have seen his crown replaced with a halo. No matter though, as with the ink still drying on Billy Davies’ P45, we were ahead.

More excellent passing and movement off the ball saw Hendrick play a good ball to Bamford in the inside right channel of the box. Paddy pulled it back first time to Russell, who could have left it for Bryson to hit first time. Instead, the Scot showed great composure to move it inside before smashing a right-footed finish into the corner. A very well-taken goal and a goal that you felt would quickly be followed by more.

Our passing and work-rate was proving far too much for our visitors. Obika was looking lively up top but Keogh and Buxton were readily intercepting the majority of attacks. Thorne though, was the star of the first half as time and again, he came away with the ball before finding another white shirt.

He was desperately unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet after great work from Bamford to win possession back. Waiting for support, the Chelsea man found Thorne, who drove a shot just wide via a deflection.

From the resulting corner, Bryson found the unmarked Keogh (or Keoghm according to our official Twitter account pre-game) who powered a header against the unfortunate Buxton before the ball went wide. The fact that Buxton didn’t scissor-kick it into the top-corner before ripping his shirt off Incredible Hulk style disappointed me. Maybe he’s saving it for the play-offs?

Even before half-time, you sensed another goal would be too much for Riga’s men. With seven to play before the break, we found it.

Russell again did well on the left before floating a ball towards Bamford. The youngster won his header, only to see Jackson, who obviously wanted to be starting something, produce a bad header back towards his goalkeeper. Not believing his luck, Bamford stuck out a leg to prod the ball home under Hamer.

2-0 and surely game over.

The Rams though, weren’t finished and as half-time approached, Wisdom almost opened his account for the campaign. A superb through ball from Bamford again found the Liverpool man, who’s effort was well smothered by the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Half-time then and a standing ovation from those baking inside the iPro. A fantastic first half which was arguably the best of the entire season to date. Well, apart from the obvious…

What happened during the interval remains unconfirmed. Perhaps there were a dodgy batch of Jaffa Cakes? Perhaps sun-stroke? Or perhaps the lads had seen the same pair of, shall we say interesting floral jeans as me?

Whatever it was, the first twenty of the second-period was like switching from a Rolls-Royce to a Skoda. It was still going, just no-where near as well as before.

Russell tested the keeper within the opening minute as I had my abacus at the ready. Strangely then, a combination of our carelessness and some spirited Addicks saw us nearly gift our visitors a way back in.

First, Morrision did well from the back, exchanging passes before a last-ditch block saw his shot deflected wide. Then, following a prolonged period of head-tennis and a chorus of humerous ole’s from the crowd. Harriot fizzed a low drive through the crowd, to see Grant again make a brilliant stop down to his left.

All of a sudden, our passing game and tempo had deserted us, Thorne so good in the first half, was now losing possession on occasions. Curiously, Bamford and Russell had switched wings, surprising considering the joy that both had reaped during the first-half. Still Charlton threatened though as more wasteful possession saw Obika break and lay off to the substitute Piggott (who surely should be playing for Leicester?!) who once again tested Grant to his left-hand side.

The back four though were looking up for the fight, with bodies flying in and Keogh in particular doing his best to show good composure. That was the word though and out from the dugout strode Big John, being an oasis of calm charged as his duty for the final quarter. He replaced Thorne, with the fish joining the fry in a double-swap, replacing Bamford, who had tired.

Within seconds, Eustace had won two balls and had helped us regain possession. Russell was still the major threat, picking up the ball and driving down the left at will. Slowly, the pendulum swung back our way as Charlton, despite being spirited, saw their chance fading. It almost disappeared for good when a cross from Wisdom found Russell, who controlled before shooting narrowly wide of a deserved second goal.

Any remaining nerves though were settled on 81 minutes, through a rare set-piece source. Bryson’s corner found Martin, unmarked at the near-post, for a simple header for a goal that he had warranted. A goal, surprising in source but unsurprising given the number of free-headers we had been gifted from the dead-ball during the afternoon.

That was that then, save for Lee Naylor making his first home appearance of the season. From Accrington to the iPro, coming to all good cinemas soon. Maybe.

There was also time for Hendrick to comically mistake the bottom corner of the net for the corner-flag, screwing a shot horribly wide when well-placed to make it four.

Nevertheless, full-time sent the fans home, or should that be back to the beer garden happy. A good display for long spells, with more than one touch of quality far out-weighing the lapse in concentration that begun the second-half.

A quick glance at the other results, while reaching for my sunglasses and factor 15, made happy reading. Even the most pessimistic of feelings inside me can’t stop me mentioning the P-word now.

That’s play-offs.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves…

Weston’s Player Ratings

Lee Grant - 8 Confident and assured throughout. Made two superb stops and distribution was also fantastic.

Craig Forsyth - 7 Steady once again, passing has improved and looks more confident in possession.

Andre Wisdom - 7 Brilliant once again, almost broke the goal duck too!

Jake Buxton - 7 Won his battles as per and read the game well.

Richard Keogh - 8 Fantastic from the skipper. Hugely impressive in possession and another who read the game superbly.

Jeff Hendrick - 8Another who loves this fixture. Best display for a long while. Took his goal well and looked composed throughout.

Craig Bryson - 7The usual good performance. Too much speed and energy for the Charlton midfield.

George Thorne - 9 Brilliant display. Passed effortlessly, won the ball, always looked for possession.

Patrick Bamford - 7 Lively, scored again and looked sharp

Johnny Russell - Weston’s Star Man 9: Outstanding. Took goal brilliantly, creative, great with the ball at his feet. Unfortunate to not score another. Hopefully a long run in the side.

Chris Martin - 8: Deserved his goal for a top performance.

Subs

John Eustace - 7A real calming influence when it was threatening to go belly-up.

Conor Sammon - 7 Put another good shift in.

Lee Naylor — 6 When released by Accrington, would have thought you were mad if you’d have said he’d be coming on for us!

We said / They Said

Derby Gaffer Steve McClaren:

“Our performance was professional today. I think we won the game with how we took the game to Charlton in the first half to be honest.We started really well and didn’t give them any sort of early incentive.”

“We’ve picked up two wins from three matches inside seven days and it’s been a good - but tough - week for us.”

Charlton Head Coach - Jose Riga:

"We were not in the game at all in the first half and we had many difficulties. We were not able to play as we can and also we made some defensive mistakes but in the second half we created chances but we must be more efficient at good moments in the game.”

"The important thing now is that we have a good recovery before we play Leeds on Tuesday. But I do believe and I want to be able, with the players, to write the last chapter in the way that we hope it will be."

Match Stats: Rams / Addicks:

Possession: 58% / 42%

Corners: 10 / 7

Shots (On Target): 24 (7) / 11 (4)

Fouls: 5 / 8

Match Info:

Referee: Mark Haywood

Attendance: 24,429

Derby County: Grant (GK); Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Thorne (Eustace 70'), Hendrick, Bryson, Bamford (Sammon 71'), Russell (Naylor 87'), Martin.

Unused Subs: Legzdins (GK), Whitbread, Bailey, O’Brien.

Goals: Russell (18’), Bamford (38’), Martin (84).

Charlton Athletic: Hamer (GK), Wilson, Wiggins, Morrison, Wood, Poyet, Cousins, Jackson (Petrucci — 82), Ghoochannejhad (Harriott — 45), Sordell (Piggott — 58), Obika.

Unused Subs:Thuram-Ulien (GK), Hughes, Nego, Lennon.

Match Highlights / Reaction

Next Time:

Middlesbrough vs. Derby

Riverside Stadium

3:00pm — Saturday 5th of April

Photo: Action Images

moose87 added 20:49 - Mar 30 Of course, our editor didn't mean to swap Lee Naylor for Tom....;)
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ramdanj added 00:28 - Mar 31 All fixed now moose! :) I struggle at the best of times without having to get names right as well. Especially when we have the nerve to have two players with the same surnames. I put it down to still being upset that our Chris has had a ''Conscious Uncoupling'' with that lovely Gwenyth - I am amazed he even has time to play for Derby! ;) lol
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